A Christian Girl On the Journey Of Life

Christmas

Christmas is 46 days away! Have you starting shopping yet? I have already bought all of the gifts for my family but I’m still working on the ones for my friends. Here is my Christmas Wish List, including links for items in case you need some inspiration. ;)

Good morning! I hope you’re having a wonderful day so far. Here are the last 6 days from the 21-day self-portrait project. I liked these couple of pictures because they had really great stories behind them. Enjoy! :)

Day 16

My Oma has taught me the importance of prayer. My grandmother is a prayer warrior. When life is crazy, she prays. When life is great, she prays. And when life is hard, she prays.

My Oma loves listening to my stories about my life and when I share a story about stress or disappointment, she reminds me to pray. It’s really encouraging to be reminded about the importance of turning to God in every situation.

Day 17

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to learn to play as many instruments as I could. When I first moved into my new home, my dad taught me how to play a song on the piano. I then was able to teach myself to play other songs. My parents realized piano lessons would be a really good opportunity for me so I started taking lessons at a nearby University.

My piano teacher was really nice and patient with me as I learned and practiced difficult pieces. I remember once I was having a really hard day. When I showed up for piano lessons, I was on the verge of tears. When my teacher asked me how I was, I burst into tears and for the entire lesson, she played piano for me to make me feel better.

My piano teacher taught me to express my feelings through music. I also learned to pick up different sounds in music, voices, and notes. She also taught me the importance of using music instead of anger. Without her, I wouldn’t be as far along as I am in music.

Day 18

I took online classes for three years but it was lonely and difficult trying to study at home where my bed is like two feet away and way more comfortable than my desk where I studied. I played around with the thought of going back to school for a while, mainly because I wanted to have experience being around people before I went to college.

I was at a sleepover with my friend when she asked me, “What if we were in the same classes together?!” I laughed half-heartedly and said, “That would be cool.” I didn’t actually think I would go back to school part time nor did I have any intention of doing so. But I went along with it.

The next day, I told my mom about it and she said, “Well, do you want to check the school out?” and I was like, “I guess.” The next thing I know, my mom is calling the school (keep in mind that this is in late July) and I am sent to take an entry exam. By then I realized, “This is actually happening” and I started to get excited about being back at school full time.

Three weeks before the first day of school, I was accepted. Even now, I’m not really sure how this happened but I’m glad it did. I go to an amazing school and the people are all so nice and friendly. All of my classmates have gone out of their way to get to know me. I love the school so much!

Day 19

Social media has a huge impact on the teens and children of this age. The social standards can totally destroy a person’s self-esteem. I know, because it did that to me.

For the longest time, I didn’t feel pretty enough, I didn’t feel any self-worth, compared to the girls online. I thought that in order to be “popular”, in order to feel loved, I needed to do whatever society said I needed to.

But my mom helped me to see the truth; I am beautiful the way I am. My mom taught me to look to the Bible for hope and encouraging. She encouraged me to memorize Bible verses so that I could remember them whenever I feel bad. And I’m so glad she did.

Through the Bible, I was able to remember my self-worth, to know that I am beautiful because God made me.

Life is hard. People are mean. And words hurt. But God still loves me. He still cares about me. He still wants me.

Day 20

One thing I love about Christmas is how beautiful the world gets. As a child, my Christmases weren’t beautiful or full of gifts. Christmas just another day to me. But now that I am a Christian, I see the beauty in Christmas day and now that I have a family, I have the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful celebration of Christ’s birth.

Day 21

“Look for the good in everyday life and share that spark with other people. You never know when someone else will need a little bit of happiness.”

– Abi –

There you go! I had so much fun with this project. If any of you are thinking about participating in the 21-day self-portrait project, you totally should! It’s worth your time. :) Have a great day!

Hello, everyone! I’m back with the next five days of my 21 Day Self Portrait Project. I really appreciate all of your wonderful comments and encouragement! Thank you all so much! :) Enjoy the results from days 11-15.

Day 11

My mom is one of the sweetest, kindest, most hard-working people that I know. She has always been there for me when I needed it and takes time out of her day to do things for me. One thing that I learned from her is that tea makes everything better.

“The best thing for a purple day is a nice cup of tea.” – Mom-

Day 12

I have always liked photography but I found that my pictures weren’t that great. So I decided to take a photography class. My teacher challenged our class to participate in the 21-day self-portrait photography project. Through this project, I challenged myself to take better photos. I have seen myself grow as a photographer so I thank my wonderful teacher for helping me grow.

Day 13

I get excited when fall starts rolling around; it’s my favorite season! But it’s also a stressful season with school and exams and performances. Life gets crazy and I get stressed. But I have hope because I have a God who will stand with me and help me to keep going.

“He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

– 1 Corinthians 1:8 –

Day 14

When I was in elementary school, I was introduced to different clubs on club day. The one club that really stood out to me was the art club. The teacher for that was really fun and had crazy hair and an even crazier nickname. And I really wanted to be in the club but my family didn’t have a car so I didn’t have a way home from school after the Art Club.

My teachers were awesome and all wanted my sisters and me to get the chance to be in the club so they took it upon themselves to take us home from clubs every day. Sometimes they would even take us out to dinner at their own expense.

Without these teachers making sacrifices for us, I wouldn’t have been able to grow my love for art. I am forever grateful to them for being so kind and generous.Since elementary school, I have grown a lot in my art abilities. This year, I was inducted into the National Art Honor Society!

Day 15

Some of my favorite books are the Gallagher Girl series. These series have encouraged me to write and keep writing. It was through this series that I really started to get excited about writing. Ally Carter is my role model and dream author.

I hope you liked the pictures from these five days! Have a great day! Merry (almost) Christmas! :)

Hey, everyone! How are you? Are you having a good weekend so far? I’ve finally finished all of my exams! Yay! And now, it’s time to relax. :) I am so excited about Christmas coming up. Here are twelve things I love about Christmas.

1. The beautiful lights

I love walking down the street looking at all of the beautiful lights that our neighborhood puts up every year. It’s so beautiful.

2. Christmas Eve Service at Church

This is my absolute favorite thing about Christmas. Looking around my church during the Candlelight service, everything is so pretty!

3. Reading the Christmas Story

Jesus’ birth is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Without Him, there wouldn’t be a Christmas so, reading what the Bible says about His birth is one of the most important traditions of Christmas.

4. Putting up decorations

I love helping my family decorate the Christmas tree and the fireplace for Christmas. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until all of the decorations are up.

5. Christmas music

What is Christmas without Christmas music?

6. Remembering all of God’s blessings

I love this time of year because we are getting ready for the New Year but also celebrating Jesus who came as a Baby for us. During Christmastime, I like to remember what God has taught me, how He has changed my life and how He had everything in His hands even when I didn’t realize it.

7. Christmas parties with my friends

This year, I was blessed to have made so many friends. We all got together this week to have a Christmas party and it was SO much fun!

8. Yummy food

My mom makes an AMAZING chocolate pie every year for Christmas; it’s so good! She also makes a great Christmas dinner with thread meat and potatoes and salad. My sister loves to bake so around Christmastime, she bakes up a storm and keeps me full with plenty of treats. :)

9. Having family over

I’m pretty sure this is a given but family is amazing. :)

10. Writing Christmas cards

Every year, I help my parents but designing our Christmas cards and writing the addresses on the envelopes.

11. Having a break from school ;)

I love going to school but I also love having a break from school to just relax and breathe without having a pile of assignments staring at me every day. Hehe

12. Giving gifts

I love shopping for / making presents for my family and friends. I love seeing their reaction when they open up their gifts. It’s a lot of fun. :)

Well, there you go! What are some things that you love about Christmastime? I hope you all have a great day and a fantastic Christmas Break. :)

Hey, everyone! In the last post, I introduced you to the 21 Day Self Portrait Project that my photography teacher challenged me to. I also shared the results from the first five days. Here are the results from Days 6-10! Enjoy! :)

Day 6

A couple of years ago, my aunt gave me a mirror. I call it a compliment mirror because it has words written on it. Here’s a sample of what it says:

“Oh, how beautiful you are! You’re charming. You look gorgeous! It’s fantastic. I think that you are fabulous, just fabulous! You are absolutely delectable. Your hair is really stunning, it sparkles with life! I love the way that you do your hair, that silken head of curls and waves is glorious. In a subtle way, your hair is immaculate, it looks so natural, it seems so springy and full of vitality! You are the most perfect creature that I have ever seen. You look great, you are great! You really are a very special person”

This mirror is a reminder that I am beautiful even when I don’t particularly feel like I am.

Day 7

I hate driving. I absolutely detest it but that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t learn to do the things I’m terrified of. My dad has always been really passionate about my development as a person – especially when I really don’t want to do whatever it is that he wants me to do.

In the beginning of October, my dad challenged me to drive every day. So I did and eventually I got better at driving. I still hate it. I still need some pushing but I’m learning that I can take those tiny steps as long as I keep moving.

Day 8

I have a family friend who has been with my family through the thick and thin. She would watch over me and my sisters when my mom was sick. She would bake with us and celebrate our birthdays. She always remembered my birthday and took the time to get to know my interests. On my fifteenth birthday, she gave me a necklace with my birthstone and a piano charm on it. It was a simple gift, but it was a meaningful gift.

She taught me that little things can make a big difference. She cared for me and my family when no one else did. It didn’t take a lot of effort or time on her part, but it made a huge impact on the happiness and hope in my family.

Day 9

Life is full of hard times and dark nights. But every day has a flicker of hope and every night is full of stars. When I am going through hard times, I try not to think of the darkness, the uncertainty, or the pain. Instead, I focus on the hope, the light, and the stars.

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” – Martin Luther King Jr. –

Day 10

My aunt is an amazing friend and my role model. She is a writer. She has traveled to so many places. She has been to the Olympics over five times. But my favorite part about her is her ability to connect with everyone she meets.

When I was frustrated with having so many people over for Christmas, she encouraged me. When I felt like my writing was awful, she encouraged me. When I really needed someone there, she encouraged me. She knew exactly what to say and how to say it.

I don’t get to see my aunt very often but when I do, I remember all of the wonderful times we had together.

I loved the last couple of pictures and oddly enough, they were accidental. Hehe :) Anyway, I hope you all have a great day! And let me know if you are going to do the project!

Hey, everyone! So, in the beginning of November, my photography teacher challenged my class to participate in the 21-day self-portrait project. Every school day, for 21 days, we would take a self-portrait picture that somehow connected us with a family member, friend, teacher, anyone who influenced us. Then, we would write a story, quote, etc. explaining how that person influenced us.

I really liked the project because it helped me to push myself to take better pictures. Here are the results from the first five days.

Day 1

My blog followers have made a big impact in my life. When I first started blogging, I only had five followers, four of which were my family members. I didn’t blog very often and I was discouraged when my blog posts that I did post didn’t get very many views. In the beginning of this year, I made it a goal to post more frequently. Eventually, the readers visited more often and my follower number grew.

I now have 231 followers, all of whom I have gotten to know and cherish. Each one of them has made some kind of impact in my life either in the comments they’ve written or the emails they’ve sent me. They all encourage me to keep writing. My blog followers are my motivation. They are my encouragers. They are the ones who I go to when I need to talk.

This picture is my main picture for my blog because I feel that it portrays how happy I am when I have the chance to reach another person with the truth of God through the words that I write.

Day 2

There’s something about losing a parent that makes you feel lost. But when you find a family that you can be a part of, a part of you is restored.

Learning to live in a new family has been difficult. My parents aren’t perfect but they love me and that’s the important part. We celebrate our adoption anniversary every year. On our five year anniversary, my parents gave us all pearl earrings. These earrings are a reminder for me that difficult times will come but I will be stronger in the end.

Day 3

My fifth grade Sunday School leader played an important part in my adoption process. She helped to spread the news that my sisters and I needed a home. She prayed for us even when I didn’t know it. I really believe that my Sunday School leader was an angel sent from heaven to help put all of the pieces into place.

I still talk to her every once in a while. Every time she sees me, she comments on how she loves me and prays for me and loves seeing me. I don’t know where I would be without her. And thanks to her, I have a family and a place to call home again.

It only takes one person to make a difference in somebody’s life.

Day 4

“There was a flower in her heart, it just needed more room to bloom. And when she let it free, she showed the world that sometimes the most beautiful things can grow in the darkest of places.”

– R.M. Drake –

Day 5

When I was in seventh grade, I had to read “Kisses From Katie” by Katie Davis for school. Reading about Katie’s life encouraged me to make a change in the lives of children. So in eighth grade, I created a website to sell bracelets online to raise money for Katie. I was able to raise over $400 for Katie and her orphanage in Uganda. This whole experience started my love for serving and writing.

So that’s it! I hope you all liked this post. Let me know if you are thinking about doing the 21-day self-portrait challenge. It’s totally worth it. ;)

Hello, everyone! How was your day? So, the weather has been colder and the skies have been getting darker and it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Here is a gallery of pictures (from Pinterest) to get you into the holiday spirit! :)

Happy day 4 of December! It still doesn’t feel like December to me but I guess I’ll get used to it the closer it gets to Christmas. Here are some Christmas songs that I love listening to around this time of year.

It’s time to do the Christmas can-can, If you can’t, can’t dance, well, that’s OK (not going to do the kick line). All you need is a tree, some lights about a thousand presents, wrap them up and pray for snow. Run to your closet, find your Christmas sweater screaming carols all the way (fa-la-la-la-la). Maine all the way to California it’s the Christmas can-can Halloween to Christmas day

The colder it gets outside, The more it warms my soul. Christmas is on my mind, I just gotta make it home. It won’t be long ‘till I am singing to the rhythm of the Salvation Army bell ringing, But this road keeps going for miles and miles. Oh please get me there on time.

Then rang the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth), The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men, Then ringing singing on its way The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men

I hear the carols on the radio. So turn it up and let the whole world know. Because I’ve got a love that’s so There is no greater joy. I hear it in the bells they’re ringing up and down the street. I see it shining in the smiles of everyone I meet. It feels to me like hope is stirring with the winter wind. Heaven has sent us a savior. What a night there is no greater!

Christmas, Christmas time is near, Time for toys and time for cheer, We’ve been good, but we can’t last, Hurry Christmas, hurry fast, Want a plane that loops the loop, Me, I want a hula hoop, We can hardly stand the wait, Please Christmas, don’t be late.

He was strong to save, Now our Savior reigns in us, Shout for joy, For the Son of God Is the Saving One, He’s the Saving One, Shout for joy, See what love has done, He has come for us, He’s the Saving One

What songs do you like listening to during the Christmas season? Let me know! I’d love to hear from you!

Hey, everyone! Are you having a great December 3rd? I am. This week was crazy busy and next week will be even busier BUT, don’t worry, I will still try to blog every day for Blogmas! I found this wonderful Holiday Favorites Tag on Amber’s blog, What Makes Me Amber. Be sure to check out her blog here and her blog post here! :)

What is Your Favorite…

1. Activity to do During the Holidays?

I love sitting by the fireplace, drinking Hot Chocolate and talking with my family. Bonus if we are all doing a puzzle. :)

2. Seasonal Drink?

3. Christmas Movie?

4. Memory? (Include a photo if you have one!)

I love having family and friends over for Christmas so my favorite memory would have to be when my aunt, my mom’s friends and their families, and my whole family got together for Christmas. We had a lot of fun sitting around the fire and playing piano and worshiping together. It was a pretty goofy, wonderful time. :)

5. Candle Scent?

Fresh Sparkling Snow from Bath and Body Works.

6. Food or Recipe? (Link it if you’d like!)

My mom makes this amazing chocolate pie every year for Christmas. You should definitely try it! Here’s the link.

7. Place to Spend the Holidays?

My favorite place to spend Christmas and New Years is at home. There’s nothing like being at home for the holidays. :)

Hey, everyone! Christmas is just around the corner. Christmas gift shopping gets stressful sometimes so I created a gift guide to help! Every item is pictured, numbered, and linked so you can find it easily. Enjoy! :)